Benedict II
AKA:
Papacy:
Status:
Previous:
Next:
Name:
Born:
Died:
Cause of Death:
Papacy:
Status:
Previous:
Next:
Name:
Born:
Died:
Cause of Death:
684.06.26 to 685.05.08
Pope #81
St. Leo II (682-683)
John V (685-686)
Benedict, son of John
in Rome
685.05.08
Pope Benedict II
Biography:
A Roman and Biblical scholar. Son of John.Election
He was elected shortly after the death of Pope Leo II, but had to wait almost a year to receive imperial approval. In those days all new popes had to receive approval from the Roman Emperor to be consecrated.Imperial Approval Abolished
The long delay for his imperial approval helped Benedict II to convince Emperor Constantine IV to ammend this law. A new decree allowed the church to receive approval from the exarch of Ravenna on behalf of the Emperor.Adopted the Emperor's sons
Emperor Constantine IV sought favour with Benedict II, and asked him to adopt his two sons, Justinian and Heraclius. He presented the pope with locks of their hair as a token of this arrangement.Councils
He wrote to King Erwig (680-687) of the Visigoths urging him to enforce the decrees of the Sixth Ecumenical Council (680-681). The council condemned Monothelitism, and ordered the ex-communication of several prominent bishops, including Macarius, ex-patriarch of Antioch, as heretics. Benedict II later tried unsuccessfully for thirty days to persuade Macarius to recant.King Erwig opened up the annual meeting in Toledo (Spain) on 14 November 684, where the letter was read and approved by the bishops.
Death
He died of an illness on 7 May 685, and was buried the following day in St. Peter's. He was later venerated as a saint.Rulers & Events:
668-685: Eastern Roman Emperor, Constantine IV
671-688: King of Italy, Perctarit
673 Greek Fire invented, used by the Byzantines
685-695: Eastern Roman Emperor, Justinian II (the Slit-nosed)
